Angulated dental implant

ABSTRACT

A dental implant includes a generally cylindrical body, an interior bore, and a non-rotational feature. The generally cylindrical body has a main-central axis and is formed from cold-worked, high strength, commercially pure titanium having an ultimate tensile strength of at least about 900 MPa. The generally cylindrical body has a proximal portion and an opposing distal portion for anchoring the dental implant in bone of a patient. The interior bore is formed in the generally cylindrical body and has (i) a bore-central axis and (ii) a threaded portion for receiving a screw that is configured to removable hold an abutment in engagement with the dental implant. The non-rotational feature is configured to engage the abutment in a non-rotational fashion.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No.15/446,132, filed on Mar. 1, 2017, now allowed, which claims the benefitof and priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/315,274, filedMar. 30, 2016, and U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/361,665, filedJul. 13, 2016, each of which is hereby incorporated by reference hereinin its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure relates to restorative dental implants and abutments andmore specifically to dental implants formed from cold-worked, highstrength, commercial pure titanium.

BACKGROUND

Single tooth restorations (e.g., crowns) present the unique requirementthat they must be supported non-rotationally on an underlying structure(e.g., a natural tooth prep, an abutment/implant assembly, etc.). Whenthe underlying structure is a prepared natural tooth, thisnon-rotational supporting requirement is met in the normal course ofpreparing the natural tooth with a non-circular cross-section.Similarly, when the underlying structure is an abutment secured to adental implant, this non-rotational supporting requirement is met bypreparing and/or using an abutment with a noncircular cross-section.This latter scenario can be more complicated due to the added connectionbetween the dental implant and the abutment.

Typically, a dental implant is implanted into bone of a patient's jaw(e.g., maxilla and/or mandible). While numerous design iterations havebeen marketed, overall there have been two types of dentalimplant-abutment interfaces within these assemblies: (i) anexternal-connection dental implant and (ii) an internal-connectiondental implant. The external-connection dental implant design typicallyincludes a hexagonal boss (or another anti-rotation feature) protrudingout of the dental implant's upper surface, whereas theinternal-connection dental implant design typically includes a hexagonalsocket (or another anti-rotation feature) extending down and into thedental implant's upper portion. With either dental implant (e.g.,external/boss or internal/socket), a corresponding abutment engages thedental implant in a non-rotational fashion and is typically securedthereto with a screw.

In most restorative situations, a central or main axis of the toothrestoration and/or of the post of the abutment is at a non-zero anglerelative to the central or main axis of the dental implant. This istypically the case due to the natural anatomy of most patients. As such,when installed, natural forces (e.g., from chewing) generated in themouth are transferred from the tooth restoration (e.g., crown), to theabutment, and then to the dental implant installed in the patient'sjawbone. Because of the angle between the central axis of the toothrestoration and the central axis dental implant, the forces also createbending moments that can cause the abutment and dental implant toseparate, which can allow leakage into the dental implant.

One solution to mitigating the negative impact of such forces on theconnection site between the abutment and the dental implant involves theuse of angled dental implants. Angled dental implants typically includean angled mating surface (e.g., angled relative to horizontal) forconnection with the abutment and an angled threaded bore (e.g., angledrelative to vertical) for receiving the screw that holds the abutment tothe dental implant at an angle relative to a central or main axis of thedental implant. While such angled dental implants aid in mitigating thenegative impact of the natural forces at the connection site (betweenthe abutment and the dental implant), the inclusion of such internalangled features within the dental implant generally requires the dentalimplant to have a relatively larger sized outer diameter to accommodatesuch angled features therein (e.g., a 6 millimeter outer diameter). Morespecifically, the inclusion of such internal angled features can cause aportion of an outer wall of the angled dental implant to have thicknessthat is much thinner than the rest of the wall forming the angled dentalimplant. As such, if the outer diameter is too small (even if just at arelatively small portion of the angled dental implant), the angleddental abutment may be prone to easily break/snap/fail. Due to theselimitations, angled dental implants have typically been limited tohaving at least a 4.5 millimeter outer diameter; however, such angleddental implants are not typically suitable for use in the anteriormaxilla/mandible as the anterior maxilla/mandible in many patients isnot able to support dental implants with such a large outer diameter.

Thus, a need exists for angled dental implants with relatively smallerouter diameters (e.g., 3.0 mm, 3.25 mm, 3.5 mm, 4.0 mm, etc.) for use,for example, in the anterior maxilla/mandible of a patient. The presentdisclosure is directed to solving these problems and addressing otherneeds.

BRIEF SUMMARY

According to some implementations of the present disclosure, a dentalimplant includes a generally cylindrical body, an interior bore, and anon-rotational feature. The generally cylindrical body has amain-central axis and is formed from cold-worked, high strength,commercially pure titanium having an ultimate tensile strength of atleast about 800 MPa, preferably at least about 900 MPa, such as, forexample, 920 MPa. The generally cylindrical body has a proximal portionand an opposing distal portion for anchoring the dental implant in boneof a patient. The interior bore is formed in the generally cylindricalbody and has (i) a bore-central axis and (ii) a threaded portion forreceiving a screw that is configured to removable hold an abutment inengagement with the dental implant. The non-rotational feature isconfigured to engage the abutment in a non-rotational fashion.

According to some implementations of the present disclosure, an angleddental implant includes a generally cylindrical body, an interior bore,and non-rotational feature. The generally cylindrical body has a maximumouter diameter and a main-central axis. The generally cylindrical bodyis formed from cold-worked, high strength, commercially pure titaniumhaving an ultimate tensile strength of at least about 900 MPa. Thegenerally cylindrical body has a proximal portion and an opposing distalportion for anchoring the angled dental implant in bone of a patient.The interior bore is formed in the generally cylindrical body, therebyforming a circumferentially extending wall defined by at least a portionof an outer surface of the generally cylindrical body and at least aportion of an inner surface of the interior bore. The interior bore hasa bore-central axis that is at an angle between about 7° degrees andabout 31° degrees relative to the main-central axis of the generallycylindrical body. The relative angle of the bore-central axis causes atleast a first portion of the circumferentially extending wall to have avarying thickness about a circumference of the first portion. Thethickness of the circumferentially extending wall at the first portionvaries from a thinnest portion adjacent to a first side of the generallycylindrical body to a thickest portion adjacent to a second opposingside of the generally cylindrical body. The interior bore has a threadedportion for receiving a screw configured to removable hold an abutmentin engagement with the angled dental implant. The non-rotational featureis configured to engage the abutment in a non-rotational fashion. Aratio of the maximum outer diameter of the generally cylindrical body tothe thinnest portion of the circumferentially extending wall adjacent tothe first side of the generally cylindrical body at the first portion isbetween about 16 and about 80.

A method of making a dental implant includes machining cold-workedcommercially pure titanium into a generally cylindrical body having amain-central axis. The generally cylindrical body has a proximal portionand an opposing distal portion for anchoring the dental implant in boneof a patient. The cold-worked commercially pure titanium has an ultimatetensile strength of at least about 900 MPa. An interior bore is formedin the generally cylindrical body. The interior bore includes (i) abore-central axis and (ii) a threaded portion. A non-rotational featureis formed in the generally cylindrical body for engaging an abutment.

According to some implementations of the present disclosure, an angledzygomatic dental implant includes a generally cylindrical body, aninterior bore, and a non-rotational feature. The generally cylindricalbody has a maximum outer diameter and a main-central axis. The generallycylindrical body is formed from cold-worked, high strength, commerciallypure titanium having an ultimate tensile strength of at least about 900MPa. The generally cylindrical body has a proximal portion, a middleportion, and a threaded distal portion for anchoring the angledzygomatic dental implant in bone of a patient. The generally cylindricalbody has a length between about 25 millimeters and about 60 millimeters.The interior bore is formed in the generally cylindrical body, therebyforming a circumferentially extending wall defined by at least a portionof an outer surface of the generally cylindrical body and at least aportion of an inner surface of the interior bore. The interior bore hasa bore-central axis that is at an angle between about 40° and about 65°relative to the main-central axis of the generally cylindrical body. Therelative angle of the bore-central axis causes the circumferentiallyextending wall to have a thinnest portion. The interior bore has athreaded portion for receiving a screw configured to removable hold anabutment in engagement with the angled zygomatic dental implant. Thenon-rotational feature is configured to engage the abutment in anon-rotational fashion. A ratio of the maximum outer diameter of thegenerally cylindrical body to the thinnest portion of thecircumferentially extending wall is between about 50 and about 75.

The foregoing and additional aspects and implementations of the presentdisclosure will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art inview of the detailed description of various embodiments and/orimplementations, which is made with reference to the drawings, a briefdescription of which is provided next.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing and other advantages of the present disclosure will becomeapparent upon reading the following detailed description and uponreference to the drawings.

FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a straight-bore dental implant with anexternal-connection according to some implementations of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 1B is a perspective cutaway view of the dental implant shown inFIG. 1A;

FIG. 1C is a partial cross-sectional view of the dental implant shown inFIG. 1A;

FIG. 2A is a perspective view of an angled-bore dental implant with anexternal-connection according to some implementations of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 2B is a perspective cutaway view of the dental implant shown inFIG. 2A;

FIG. 2C is a partial cross-sectional view of the dental implant shown inFIG. 2A;

FIG. 3A is a perspective view of an angled-bore dental implant with anexternal-connection according to some implementations of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 3B is a perspective cutaway view of the dental implant shown inFIG. 3A;

FIG. 3C is a partial cross-sectional view of the dental implant shown inFIG. 3A;

FIG. 4A is a perspective view of an angled-bore dental implant with anexternal-connection according to some implementations of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 4B is a perspective cutaway view of the dental implant shown inFIG. 4A;

FIG. 4C is a partial cross-sectional view of the dental implant shown inFIG. 4A;

FIG. 5A is a perspective view of an angled-bore dental implant with aninternal-connection according to some implementations of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 5B is a perspective cutaway view of the dental implant shown inFIG. 5A;

FIG. 5C is a partial cross-sectional view of the dental implant shown inFIG. 5A;

FIG. 6A is an assembled perspective view of a dental assembly includingan abutment, a screw, and an angled-bore dental implant with anexternal-connection according to some implementations of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 6B is an assembled perspective cutaway view of the dental assemblyshown in FIG. 6A;

FIG. 6C is an exploded partial cross-sectional view of the dentalassembly shown in FIG. 6A;

FIG. 7A is a perspective view of an angled-bore zygomatic dental implantwith an external-connection according to some implementations of thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 7B is a perspective cutaway view of the zygomatic dental implantshown in FIG. 7A;

FIG. 7C is a partial cross-sectional view of the zygomatic dentalimplant shown in FIG. 7A;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an angled-bore zygomatic dental implantwith an external-connection according to some implementations of thepresent disclosure; and

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of an angled-bore zygomatic dental implantwith an external-connection according to some implementations of thepresent disclosure.

While the present disclosure is susceptible to various modifications andalternative forms, specific embodiments have been shown by way ofexample in the drawings and will be described in detail herein. Itshould be understood, however, that the present disclosure is notintended to be limited to the particular forms disclosed. Rather, thepresent disclosure is to cover all modifications, equivalents, andalternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the presentdisclosure as defined by the appended claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The dental implants of the present disclosure described herein areformed from (e.g., machined out of) cold-worked, high strength,commercially pure titanium having an ultimate tensile strength of atleast about 900 megapascals (MPa). Ultimate tensile strength it is meantto refer to the maximum stress that a material can withstand while beingstretched or pulled before breaking. By cold-worked, it is meant thatthe material is shaped at a temperature below its recrystallizationtemperature (e.g., ambient temperature). Examples of such shapingtechniques include: squeezing, bending, drawing, shearing, rolling, orany combinations thereof.

In some implementations, the dental implants of the present disclosureare formed from cold-worked, high strength, commercially pure titaniumhaving an ultimate tensile strength of at least about 900 megapascals(MPa). The material used to make the dental implants of the presentdisclosure starts as commercially pure titanium (e.g., Grade IV Titaniumas defined by the ASTM International standard ASTM F67) with arelatively lower ultimate tensile strength (e.g., 550 MPa). Then, thecommercially pure titanium is cold worked, which increases thecommercially pure titanium's ultimate tensile strength from its initialvalue to a relatively higher value (e.g., 800 MPa, 850 MPa, 900 MPa, 920MPa, 940 MPa, 960 MPa, etc.). Then, the dental implants of the presentdisclosure are machined out of this cold worked, high strength,commercially pure titanium material having the relatively higherultimate tensile strength (e.g., 920 MPa). As such, the dental implantsof the present disclosure are able to be machined with relativelysmaller sizes (e.g., smaller diameters) without potentially sacrificinglong term performance of the dental implants compared with dentalimplants machined out of materials having relatively lower ultimatetensile strength (e.g., 400 MPa).

Referring generally to FIGS. 1A-1C, a dental implant 100 includes agenerally cylindrical body 110, an interior bore 130, and anon-rotational feature 150. The generally cylindrical body 110 isgenerally divided into an upper or proximal portion 112 a and a lower ordistal portion 112 b. The distal portion 112 b is typically foranchoring the dental implant 100 in bone of a patient. For example, thedental implant 100 can be anchored into a patient's maxilla or mandible.

The proximal portion 112 a includes first threads 114 a about anexterior surface thereof and the distal portion 112 b includes secondthreads 114 b about an exterior surface thereof. In someimplementations, the first and second threads 114 a,b are the same(e.g., same pitch, same cross-section, and/or same number of starts,etc.) and in some alternatives, the first and the second threads 114 a,bare different. For example, the first threads 114 a can be a multi-leadthread with three threads each having a pitch of 0.6 millimeters (e.g.,0.2 millimeters between adjacent turns of the multi-lead threads) andthe second thread 114 b can be a single thread having a pitch of 0.6millimeters. Various alternative threads, pitches, and ratios arecontemplated, such as multi-lead threads on both the first threads 114 aand the second threads 114 b with the same or different pitches. Thefirst and second threads 114 a,b can be blended together (e.g., near themiddle of the dental implant 100) or separate and distinct (e.g., nottouching). In some implementations, the first thread 114 a (about thedistal portion 112 b) is a micro thread 114 a and the second thread 114b (about the proximal portion 112 b) is a main thread 114 b in that themain thread 114 b is for deeper, primary engagement with the bone. Insuch implementations, the micro thread 114 a has a smallerpeak-to-trough distance and a larger minor thread diameter as comparedwith the peak-to-trough distance and minor thread diameter of the mainthread 114 b. In some exemplary implementations, the peak-to-troughdistance of the first thread is in the range from about 0.05 millimetersto 0.1 millimeters and the peak-to-trough distance of the second threadis in the range from about 0.2 millimeters to about 0.5 millimeters. Forexample, peak-to-trough distance of the first thread is about 0.075millimeters and the peak-to-trough distance of the second thread isabout 0.25 millimeters.

The distal portion 112 b of the generally cylindrical body 110 includesthree generally vertical flutes 118 spaced about the circumference ofthe dental implant 100 that cross (e.g., break up) the second thread 114b. The flutes 118 aid the installation of the dental implant 100 by (i)self-tapping the dental implant 100 into the patient's bone socketand/or (ii) providing a path for material to be ejected from the cavity(e.g., bone socket) receiving the dental implant 100 duringinstallation. More or fewer flutes 118 are also contemplated (e.g., one,two, four, five, etc.).

The proximal portion 112 a of the generally cylindrical body 110 alsoincludes a collar section 120. The collar section 120 is generallycylindrical and is positioned near and/or at a proximal end of thedental implant 100. The collar section 120 is distinct from the rest ofthe proximal portion 112 a of the generally cylindrical body 110 as thecollar section 120 does not include the first thread 114 a therearound.As shown in FIGS. 1A-1C, the collar section 120 has a maximum outerdiameter D_(max,c) that is slightly larger than the maximum outerdiameter D_(max,t) of the rest of the proximal portion 112 a, which isdefined by the outer diameter of the first thread 114 a. Alternatively,the maximum outer diameter D_(max,c) of the collar section 120 is equalto or less than the maximum outer diameter D_(max,t) of the first thread114 a.

Throughout the present disclosure, reference is made to various sizeddental implants. To identify the various dental implants of the presentdisclosure, the dental implants may be referred to as having a nominalsize. For example, the nominal size may generally or nominally refer toa dental implant's maximum outer diameter or width. This maximum outerdiameter can refer to the maximum outer diameter D_(max,c) of the collarsection 120 and/or the maximum outer diameter D_(max,t) of the firstthread 114 a (as opposed to the inner diameter of the first thread 114a). By way of example, the dental implant 100 shown in FIGS. 1A-1C canbe referred to as a 3.25 millimeter dental implant, which is the nominalmaximum outer diameter D_(max,c) of the collar section 120 and/or thenominal maximum outer diameter D_(max,t) of the first thread 114 a. Bynominal, it is meant that the outer diameter D_(max) is about 3.25millimeters and not necessarily exactly 3.25 millimeters. By about 3.25millimeters it is meant that the dimension has a tolerance of about plusor minus 0.1 millimeter.

The non-rotational feature 150 generally protrudes from the collarsection 120 and is external to the interior bore 130 (e.g., at least tothe threaded portion of the interior bore 130). As shown, thenon-rotational feature 150 is a six-sided hexagonal boss that cannon-rotationally mate with a corresponding non-rotational feature (e.g.,non-rotational feature 685 shown in FIG. 6C) of an abutment (e.g.,abutment 675 shown in FIGS. 6A-6C) in a non-rotational fashion. Variousalternative non-rotational features are contemplated, such as, forexample, a four-sided square or rectangular boss (not shown), afive-sided polygonal boss (not shown), a twelve-sided polygonal/starboss (not shown), a three-piece clover shaped boss (not shown), etc.

The generally cylindrical body 110 of the dental implant 100 has amain-central axis X_(main). The main-central axis X_(main) is defined asa straight axis/line that goes through the geometric center and/or theaxis of symmetry of at least the distal portion 112 b of the generallycylindrical body 110 of the dental implant 100. As shown in FIGS. 1A-1C,the main-central axis X_(main) of the dental implant 100 also goesthrough the geometric center and/or the axis of symmetry of the proximalportion 112 a of the generally cylindrical body 110 of the dentalimplant 100. This is because the dental implant 100 is a straight-boredental implant as opposed to some of the angled-bore dental implantsdescribed herein.

The interior bore 130 is formed in the generally cylindrical body 110 ofthe dental implant 100. The interior bore 130 includes a female orinternal thread 132 therein to threadingly mate with a screw (e.g.,screw 690 shown in FIGS. 6B and 6C) to hold the abutment on the dentalimplant 100 (as best shown, for example, in FIG. 6C). The interior bore130 has a bore-central axis X_(bore). The bore-central axis X_(bore) isdefined as a straight axis/line that goes through the geometric centerand/or the axis of symmetry of at least the interior bore 130 of thedental implant 100. As shown in FIGS. 1A-1C, the bore-central axisX_(bore) of the interior bore 130 also goes through the geometric centerand/or the axis of symmetry of the distal portion 112 b of the generallycylindrical body 110 of the dental implant 100. This is because thedental implant 100 is a straight-bore dental implant as opposed to someof the angled-bore dental implants described herein. Alternatively, thebore-central axis X_(bore) can be at an angle relative to themain-central axis X_(main) between about 7° and about 31°. Exemplarilydental implants having such angled bore-central axes are shown in, forexample, FIGS. 2A-5C, which are described below in greater detail.

The interior bore 130 forms a circumferentially extending wall 135 thatis defined by an outer surface 119 of the generally cylindrical body 110and an inner surface 139 of the interior bore 130. The circumferentiallyextending wall 135 has a minimum thickness t_(w,min) and a maximumthickness t_(w,max) as best shown in FIG. 1C. The minimum and maximumthicknesses t_(w,min) and t_(w,max) of the circumferentially extendingwall 135 vary depending on the size of the dental implant 100 (e.g., a3.0 diameter implant, a 3.25 diameter implant, a 3.5 diameter implant, a4.0 diameter implant, a 5.0 diameter implant, etc.), the inner diameterof the interior bore 130 (which can vary depending on the type/size ofscrew being used to hold the abutment to the implant), the size (e.g.,pitch) of the first thread 114 a, the size (e.g., pitch) of the internalthread 132, and/or the angle of the bore-central axis X_(bore) relativeto the main-central axis X_(main) (which in the case of the dentalimplant 100 is zero).

It is also noted that the minimum and maximum thicknesses t_(w,min) andt_(w,max) of the circumferentially extending wall 135 can also depend onthe location (e.g., vertical position along a height of the dentalimplant) that the thicknesses are being measured. For example, for anangled dental implant, the minimum thickness t_(w,min) of thecircumferentially extending wall near or at the proximal end of theinterior bore will be different than the minimum thickness t_(w,max) ofthe circumferentially extending wall near or at the distal end of theinterior bore. Additionally, the thickness of the circumferentiallyextending wall 135 varies about the circumference (e.g., rotationalposition about the main-central axis X_(main)) of the angled dentalimplant due to the interior bore being at an angle relative to themain-central axis X_(main), which is described below and shown in FIGS.2A-5C.

Based on the exemplary implementation shown in FIGS. 1A-1C of the dentalimplant 100, a ratio of the maximum outer diameter D_(max,c) orD_(max,t) (e.g., the nominal outer diameter of 3.25 millimeters) of thegenerally cylindrical body 110 to the thinnest portion (e.g., thicknesst_(w,min)) of the circumferentially extending wall 135 of the generallycylindrical body 110 is 3.25 millimeters/0.5 millimeters, which equals6.5.

Now referring to FIGS. 2A-2C, an angled dental implant 200 having agenerally cylindrical body 210 is shown that is similar to the dentalimplant 100 described herein and shown in FIGS. 1A-1C. However, theangled dental implant 200 generally differs from the dental implant 100(FIGS. 1A-1C) in that a collar section 220 and an interior bore 230 ofthe angled dental implant 200 are angled relative to a main-central axisX_(main) of the angled dental implant 200.

The angled dental implant 200 can be referred to as a 3.25 millimeterangled dental implant, which is the nominal maximum outer diameterD_(max,c) of the collar section 220 and/or the nominal maximum outerdiameter D_(max,t) of a first thread 214 a. The angled dental implant200 further includes a non-rotational feature 250 that is the same as,or similar to, the non-rotational feature 150, except that thenon-rotational feature 250 is angled relative to the main-central axisX_(main) of the angled dental implant 200 as the non-rotational feature250 extends from the angled collar section 220. Like the generallycylindrical body 110 of the dental implant 100, the generallycylindrical body 210 is generally divided into an upper or proximalportion 212 a and a lower or distal portion 212 b. The proximal portion212 a includes the first thread 214 a and the distal portion 212 bincludes a second thread 214 b that are the same as, or similar to thefirst and second threads 114 a,b. Moreover, the distal portion 212 bincludes three generally vertical flutes 218 that are the same as, orsimilar to the flutes 118.

The generally cylindrical body 210 of the dental angled implant 200 hasa main-central axis X_(main). While the main-central axis X_(main) ofthe angled dental implant 200 goes through the geometric center and/orthe axis of symmetry of the distal portion 212 b of the generallycylindrical body 210 (e.g., similar to the main-central axis X_(main) ofthe dental implant 100), the main-central axis X_(main) of the angleddental implant 200 does not go through (e.g., is not coincident with)the axis of symmetry of the proximal portion 212 a of the generallycylindrical body 210. This is because the proximal portion 212 a of thegenerally cylindrical body 210 of the angled dental implant 200 includesan angled portion 213 that is angled and/or offset relative to (1) themain-central axis X_(main) of the angled dental implant 200 and (2) therest of the generally cylindrical body 210 of the angled dental implant200.

The proximal portion 212 a includes the collar section 220, whichdiffers from the collar section 120 of dental implant 100 in FIGS. 1A-1Cin that the collar section 220 is angled relative to vertical and/or themain-central axis X_(main) of the angled dental implant 200. The collarsection 220 is generally cylindrical and is positioned near and/or atthe proximal end of the angled dental implant 200.

The interior bore 230 is formed in the generally cylindrical body 210 ofthe angled dental implant 200. The interior bore 230 includes a femaleor internal thread 232 therein to threadingly mate with a screw (e.g.,screw 690 shown in FIGS. 6B and 6C) to hold an abutment (e.g., abutment675 shown in FIGS. 6A-6C) on the angled dental implant 200 (as bestshown, for example, in FIG. 6C). The interior bore 230 has abore-central axis X_(bore). The bore-central axis X_(bore) of theinterior bore 230 goes through the geometric center and/or the axis ofsymmetry of the interior bore 230 of the angled dental implant 200.Unlike the dental implant 100 (FIGS. 1A-1C), the bore-central axisX_(bore) of the interior bore 230 does not also go through the geometriccenter and/or the axis of symmetry of the distal portion 212 b of thegenerally cylindrical body 210 of the angled dental implant 200. This isbecause the angled dental implant 200 is an angled-bore dental implant.As shown in FIG. 2C, the bore-central axis X_(bore) of the interior bore230 is at an angle θ relative to the main-central axis X_(main) of theangled dental implant 200. The angle θ can be any angle, such as, forexample, between about 7° and about 31° degrees. As shown in FIGS.2A-2C, the angle θ is about 12°.

Similar to the interior bore 130, the interior bore 230 forms acircumferentially extending wall 235 that is defined by an outer surface219 of the generally cylindrical body 210 and an inner surface 239 ofthe interior bore 230. The circumferentially extending wall 235 has aminimum thickness t_(w,min) and a maximum thickness t_(w,max) as bestshown in FIG. 2C. The minimum and maximum thicknesses t_(w,min) andt_(w,max) of the circumferentially extending wall 235 vary depending onthe size of the angled dental implant 200 (e.g., a 3.0 diameter implant,a 3.25 diameter implant, a 3.5 diameter implant, a 4.0 diameter implant,a 5.0 diameter implant, etc.), the inner diameter of the interior bore230 (which can vary depending on the type/size of screw being used tohold the abutment to the implant), the size (e.g., pitch) of the firstthread 114 a, the size (e.g., pitch) of the internal thread 132, and/orthe angle θ of the bore-central axis X_(bore) relative to themain-central axis X_(main) (which in the case of the angled dentalimplant 200 is about 12 degrees).

The minimum and maximum thicknesses t_(w,min) and t_(w,max) of thecircumferentially extending wall 235 also depend on the location (e.g.,vertical position along a height of the angled dental implant) that thethicknesses are being measured. For example, for the angled dentalimplant 200 in FIGS. 2A-2C, the minimum thickness t_(w,min) of thecircumferentially extending wall 235 near or at a proximal end 231 a ofthe interior bore 230 is different than the minimum thickness t_(w,min)of the circumferentially extending wall 235 near or at the distal end231 b of the interior bore 230. As an example, the angled dental implant200 (shown in FIGS. 2A-2C), is a 3.25 diameter angled dental implant(nominal size) with an interior bore 230 having an angle θ of about 12degrees. In this illustrated example, the minimum thickness t_(w,min) ofthe circumferentially extending wall 235 at or near the distal end 231 b(e.g., taken at line A) of the interior bore 230 is about 0.04millimeters, which is adjacent to a first side 210 a of the generallycylindrical body 210 of the angled dental implant 200. Similarly, theminimum thickness t_(w,min) of the circumferentially extending wall 235at or near the proximal end 231 a (e.g., taken at line A′) of theinterior bore 230 is about 0.4 millimeters, which is adjacent to asecond opposing side 210 b of the generally cylindrical body 210 of theangled dental implant 200.

As can be appreciated by the above description and FIGS. 2A-2C, thethickness of the circumferentially extending wall 235 varies about thecircumference (e.g., rotational position about the main-central axisX_(main)) of the angled dental implant 200 due to the interior bore 230being at the angle θ relative to the main-central axis X_(main). As bestshown in FIG. 2C, for a horizontal cross-section of the generallycylindrical body 210 at or near the distal end 231 b of the interiorbore 230, the thickness of the circumferentially extending wall 235varies about the circumference of the angled dental implant 200 from (1)the minimum thickness t_(w,min) at or near the distal end 231 b of theinterior bore 230 adjacent to the first side 210 a to (2) the maximumthickness t_(w,max) at or near the distal end 231 b of the interior bore230 adjacent to the second opposing side 210 b. As the horizontalcross-section of the generally cylindrical body 210 is moved verticallyupward in FIG. 2C (i.e, towards the proximal end 231 a of the interiorbore 230), the thickness of the circumferentially extending wall 235adjacent to the first and second sides 210 a,b continues to vary untilthe horizontal cross-section of the generally cylindrical body 210reaches and/or approaches the proximal end 231 a where the minimumthickness t_(w,min) flips from the first side 210 a to the secondopposing side 210 b and similarly, the maximum thickness t_(w,max) flipsfrom the second opposing side 210 b to the first side 210 a.

In summary, the circumferentially extending wall 235 has one or moreportions or sections that have a relatively thin thickness compared tothe rest of the circumferentially extending wall 235. It is theseportions of the circumferentially extending wall 235 that are more proneto breaking/failing/snapping when the angled dental implant 200 isloaded (e.g., coupled with an abutment and crown and used formastication purposes in a patient's mouth). By machining the angleddental implant 200 out of the cold worked, commercially pure titaniummaterial having the relatively higher ultimate tensile strength (e.g.,920 MPa) described herein, the angled dental implant 200 is able to havesuch relatively thin wall portions. As such, angled dental implants ofthe present disclosure are able to be machined with relatively smallerouter diameters and/or relatively larger angles θ as compared withprevious dental implants and such relatively smaller angled dentalimplants can be used in areas of a patient's mouth requiring suchsmaller sized angled dental implants, such as, for example, the anteriormaxilla and/or the anterior mandible.

Based on the exemplary implementation shown in FIGS. 2A-2C of the angleddental implant 200, a ratio of the maximum outer diameter D_(max,c) orD_(max,t) (e.g., the nominal outer diameter of 3.25 millimeters) of thegenerally cylindrical body 210 to the thinnest portion (e.g., thicknesst_(w,min)) of the circumferentially extending wall 235 adjacent to thefirst side 210 a of the generally cylindrical body 210 is 3.25millimeters/0.04 millimeters, which equals 81.25.

Now referring to FIGS. 3A-3C, an angled dental implant 300 is shown thatis similar to the angled dental implant 200 described herein and shownin FIGS. 2A-2C. However, the angled dental implant 300 generally differsfrom the angled dental implant 200 in that the angled dental implant 300is generally referred to as a 4.0 millimeter angled dental implant,which is the nominal maximum outer diameter D_(max,c) of a collarsection 320 and/or the nominal maximum outer diameter D_(max,t) of afirst thread 314 a.

The angled dental implant 300 includes a generally cylindrical body 310,an angled portion 313, the collar section 320, an interior bore 330, anon-rotational feature 350, a proximal portion 312 a, a distal portion312 b, the first thread 314 a, a second thread 314 b, flutes 318, amain-central axis X_(main), a bore-central axis X_(bore), and acircumferentially extending wall 335, which are the same as, or similarto, the generally cylindrical body 210, the angled portion 213, thecollar section 220, the interior bore 230, the non-rotational feature250, the proximal portion 212 a, the distal portion 212 b, the firstthread 214 a, the second thread 214 b, the flutes 218, the main-centralaxis X_(main), the bore-central axis X_(bore), and the circumferentiallyextending wall 235 of the angled dental implant 200.

The main difference between the angled dental implants 200 and 300 isthe thickness of the circumferentially extending walls 235 and 335,which is caused, at least in part, by the difference between the outerdiameters of the angled dental implants 200 and 300. As shown in FIGS.3A-3C, the circumferentially extending wall 335 is defined by an outersurface 319 of the generally cylindrical body 310 and an inner surface339 of the interior bore 330. The circumferentially extending wall 335has a minimum thickness t_(w,min) and a maximum thickness t_(w,max) asbest shown in FIG. 3C. The minimum thickness t_(w,min) of thecircumferentially extending wall 335 near or at a proximal end 331 a ofthe interior bore 330 is different than the minimum thickness t_(w,min)of the circumferentially extending wall 335 near or at the distal end331 b of the interior bore 330. As an example, the angled dental implant300 (shown in FIGS. 3A-3C), is a 4.0 diameter angled dental implant(nominal size) with the interior bore 330 having an angle θ of about 12degrees. In this illustrated example, the minimum thickness t_(w,min) ofthe circumferentially extending wall 335 at or near the distal end 331 b(e.g., taken at line B) of the interior bore 330 is about 0.2millimeters, which is adjacent to a first side 310 a of the generallycylindrical body 310 of the angled dental implant 300. Similarly, theminimum thickness t_(w,min) of the circumferentially extending wall 335at or near the proximal end 331 a (e.g., taken at line B′) of theinterior bore 330 is about 0.7 millimeters, which is adjacent to asecond opposing side 310 b of the generally cylindrical body 310 of theangled dental implant 300.

Further, as can be appreciated by the above description and FIGS. 3A-3C,the thickness of the circumferentially extending wall 335 varies aboutthe circumference (e.g., rotational position about the main-central axisX_(main)) of the angled dental implant 300 due to the interior bore 330being at the angle θ relative to the main-central axis X_(main). As bestshown in FIG. 3C, for a horizontal cross-section of the generallycylindrical body 310 at or near the distal end 331 b of the interiorbore 330, the thickness of the circumferentially extending wall 335varies about the circumference of the angled dental implant 300 from (1)the minimum thickness t_(w,min) at or near the distal end 331 b of theinterior bore 330 adjacent to the first side 310 a to (2) the maximumthickness t_(w,max) at or near the distal end 331 b of the interior bore330 adjacent to the second opposing side 310 b.

Based on the exemplary implementation shown in FIGS. 3A-3C of the angleddental implant 300, a ratio of (i) the maximum outer diameter D_(max,c)or D_(max,t) (e.g., the nominal outer diameter of 4.0 millimeters) ofthe generally cylindrical body 310 to (ii) the thinnest portion (e.g.,thickness t_(w,min)) of the circumferentially extending wall 335adjacent to the first side 310 a of the generally cylindrical body 310is 4.0 millimeters/0.2 millimeters, which equals 20.

Now referring to FIGS. 4A-4C, an angled dental implant 400 is shown thatis similar to the angled dental implant 300 described herein and shownin FIGS. 3A-3C. However, the angled dental implant 400 generally differsfrom the angled dental implant 300 in that the angled dental implant 400includes an interior bore 430 with a bore-central axis X_(bore) that isat an angle θ of about 24 degrees relative to a main-central axisX_(main) of the angled dental implant 400, as opposed to the about 12degree angle of the bore-central axis X_(bore) of the angled dentalimplant 300 (FIGS. 3A-3C). Further, the angled dental implant 400 isgenerally referred to as a 4.0 millimeter angled dental implant, whichis the nominal maximum outer diameter D_(max,c) of a collar section 420and/or the nominal maximum outer diameter D_(max,t) of a first thread414 a.

The angled dental implant 400 includes a generally cylindrical body 410,an angled portion 413, the collar section 420, the interior bore 430, anon-rotational feature 450, a proximal portion 412 a, a distal portion412 b, the first thread 414 a, a second thread 414 b, flutes 418, themain-central axis X_(main), the bore-central axis X_(bore), and acircumferentially extending wall 435, which are the same as, or similarto, the generally cylindrical body 310, the angled portion 313, thecollar section 320, the interior bore 330, the non-rotational feature350, the proximal portion 312 a, the distal portion 312 b, the firstthread 314 a, the second thread 314 b, the flutes 318, the main-centralaxis X_(main), the bore-central axis X_(bore), and the circumferentiallyextending wall 335 of the angled dental implant 300.

The main difference between the angled dental implants 300 and 400 isthe thickness of the circumferentially extending walls 335 and 435,which is caused, at least in part, by the difference between the anglesθ (e.g., about 12 degrees vs. about 24 degrees) of the angled dentalimplants 300 and 400. As shown in FIGS. 4A-4C, the circumferentiallyextending wall 435 is defined by an outer surface 419 of the generallycylindrical body 410 and an inner surface 439 of the interior bore 430.The circumferentially extending wall 435 has a minimum thicknesst_(w,min) and a maximum thickness t_(w,max) as best shown in FIG. 4C.The minimum thickness t_(w,min) of the circumferentially extending wall435 near or at a proximal end 431 a of the interior bore 430 isdifferent than the minimum thickness t_(w,min) of the circumferentiallyextending wall 435 near or at the distal end 431 b of the interior bore430. As an example, the angled dental implant 400 (shown in FIGS.4A-4C), is a 4.0 diameter angled dental implant (nominal size) with theinterior bore 430 having an angle θ of about 24 degrees. In thisillustrated example, the minimum thickness t_(w,min) of thecircumferentially extending wall 435 at or near the distal end 431 b(e.g., taken at line C) of the interior bore 430 is about 0.14millimeters, which is adjacent to a first side 410 a of the generallycylindrical body 410 of the angled dental implant 400. Similarly, theminimum thickness t_(w,min) of the circumferentially extending wall 435at or near the proximal end 431 a (e.g., taken at line C′) of theinterior bore 430 is about 0.4 millimeters, which is adjacent to asecond opposing side 410 b of the generally cylindrical body 410 of theangled dental implant 400.

Further, as can be appreciated by the above description and FIGS. 4A-4C,the thickness of the circumferentially extending wall 435 varies aboutthe circumference (e.g., rotational position about the main-central axisX_(main)) of the angled dental implant 400 due to the interior bore 430being at the angle θ relative to the main-central axis X_(main). As bestshown in FIG. 4C, for a horizontal cross-section of the generallycylindrical body 410 at or near the distal end 431 b of the interiorbore 430, the thickness of the circumferentially extending wall 435varies about the circumference of the angled dental implant 400 from (1)a minimum thickness t_(w,min) at or near the distal end 431 b of theinterior bore 430 adjacent to the first side 410 a to (2) the maximumthickness t_(w,max) at or near the distal end 431 b of the interior bore430 adjacent to the second opposing side 410 b.

Based on the exemplary implementation shown in FIGS. 4A-4C of the angleddental implant 400, a ratio of (i) the maximum outer diameter D_(max,c)or D_(max,t) (e.g., the nominal outer diameter of 4.0 millimeters) ofthe generally cylindrical body 410 to (ii) the thinnest portion (e.g.,thickness t_(w,min)) of the circumferentially extending wall 435adjacent to the first side 410 a of the generally cylindrical body 410is 4.0 millimeters/0.14 millimeters, which equals 28.6.

Now referring to FIGS. 5A-5C, an angled dental implant 500 is shown thatis similar to the angled dental implants 200, 300, 400 described hereinand shown in FIGS. 2A-4C. However, the angled dental implant 500generally differs from the other angled dental implants 200, 300, 400 inthat the angled dental implant 500 is an internal-connection angleddental implant with an internal socket as a non-rotational feature 550and not an external boss like the non-rotational features 250, 350, 450.

The angled dental implant 500 includes an interior bore 530 with abore-central axis X_(bore) that is at an angle θ of about 12 degreesrelative to a main-central axis X_(main) of the angled dental implant500. Further, the angled dental implant 500 is generally referred to asa 3.5 millimeter angled dental implant, which is the nominal maximumouter diameter D_(max,c) of a collar section 520 and/or the nominalmaximum outer diameter D_(max,t) of a first thread 514 a.

The angled dental implant 500 includes a generally cylindrical body 510,an angled portion 513, the collar section 520, the interior bore 530, aproximal portion 512 a, a distal portion 512 b, the first thread 514 a,a second thread 514 b, flutes 518, the main-central axis X_(main), thebore-central axis X_(bore), and a circumferentially extending wall 535,which are the same as, or similar to, the generally cylindrical body210, the angled portion 213, the collar section 220, the interior bore230, the proximal portion 212 a, the distal portion 212 b, the firstthread 214 a, the second thread 214 b, the flutes 218, the main-centralaxis X_(main), the bore-central axis X_(bore), and the circumferentiallyextending wall 235 of the angled dental implant 200.

The main differences between the angled dental implants 200 and 500 arethe non-rotational features 250, 550 and the thickness of thecircumferentially extending walls 235 and 535, which is caused, at leastin part, by (1) the difference in the non-rotational features 250, 550and (2) the difference between the outer diameters of the angled dentalimplants 200 and 500. As shown in FIGS. 5A-5C, the circumferentiallyextending wall 535 is defined by an outer surface 519 of the generallycylindrical body 510 and an inner surface 539 of the interior bore 530.The circumferentially extending wall 535 has a minimum thicknesst_(w,min) and a maximum thickness t_(w,max) as best shown in FIG. 5C.The minimum thickness t_(w,min) of the circumferentially extending wall535 near or at a proximal end 531 a of the interior bore 530 isdifferent than the minimum thickness t_(w,min) of the circumferentiallyextending wall 535 near or at the distal end 531 b of the interior bore530. As an example, the angled dental implant 500 (shown in FIGS.5A-5C), is a 3.5 millimeter diameter angled dental implant (nominalsize) with the interior bore 530 having an angle θ of about 12 degrees.In this illustrated example, the minimum thickness t_(w,min) of thecircumferentially extending wall 535 at or near the proximal end 531 a(e.g., taken at line D) of the interior bore 530 is about 0.15millimeters, which is adjacent to a first side 510 a of the generallycylindrical body 510 of the angled dental implant 500. Similarly, theminimum thickness t_(w,min) of the circumferentially extending wall 535at or near the distal end 531 b (e.g., taken at line D′) of the interiorbore 530 is about 0.32 millimeters, which is adjacent to a secondopposing side 510 b of the generally cylindrical body 510 of the angleddental implant 500.

Further, as can be appreciated by the above description and FIGS. 5A-5C,the thickness of the circumferentially extending wall 535 varies aboutthe circumference (e.g., rotational position about the main-central axisX_(main)) of the angled dental implant 500 due to the interior bore 530being at the angle θ relative to the main-central axis X_(main). As bestshown in FIG. 5C, for a horizontal cross-section of the generallycylindrical body 510 at or near the proximal end 531 a of the interiorbore 530, the thickness of the circumferentially extending wall 535varies about the circumference of the angled dental implant 500 from (1)the minimum thickness t_(w, min) at or near the proximal end 531 a ofthe interior bore 530 adjacent to the first side 510 a to (2) themaximum thickness t_(w,max) at or near the proximal end 531 a of theinterior bore 530 adjacent to the second opposing side 510 b.

Based on the exemplary implementation shown in FIGS. 5A-5C of the angleddental implant 500, a ratio of (i) the maximum outer diameter D_(max,c)or D_(max,t) (e.g., the nominal outer diameter of 3.5 millimeters) ofthe generally cylindrical body 510 to (ii) the thinnest portion (e.g.,thickness t_(w,min)) of the circumferentially extending wall 535adjacent to the first side 510 a of the generally cylindrical body 510is 3.5 millimeters/0.15 millimeters, which equals 23.3.

Now referring to FIGS. 6A-6C, a dental assembly 601 includes an angleddental implant 600, an abutment 675, and a screw 690. The angled dentalimplant 600 is the same as, or similar to, the angled dental implants200, 300, 400, 500 described herein.

The abutment 675 includes a post 680 and a stem 682 extending in arelative downward direction from the post 680. The post 680 is sized andshaped to support a restoration thereon (e.g., a crown). The stem 682may include a non-rotational feature 685 for engaging a non-rotationalfeature 650 of the angled dental implant 600 in a non-rotational fashionsuch that the abutment 675 is prevented from rotating relative to theangled dental implant 600 when coupled thereto (e.g., by the screw 690).

The abutment 675 includes a through-bore 688 that extends through thepost 680 and the stem 682 to allow the screw 690 to be inserted therein.The screw 690 is inserted into the through-bore 688 of the abutment 675to threadably engage female or internal threads 632 of an interior bore630 of the angled dental implant 600 as best shown in FIG. 6B.

Due to the angled dental implant 600 having an angled portion 613, thepost 680 of the abutment 675 does not need to be angled relative to thebase 678 of the abutment 675 to provide an anatomical tooth restoration.

Now referring to FIGS. 7A-7C, an angled dental implant 700 is shown thatis similar to the angled dental implant 200 described herein and shownin FIGS. 2A-2C. However, the angled dental implant 700 generally differsfrom the angled dental implant 200 in that the angled dental implant 700is an angled zygomatic dental implant that is significantly longer thannon-zygomatic angled dental implants (e.g., dental implants 200, 300,400, 500) such that the angled zygomatic dental implant 700 can beinstalled into a patient's upper jawbone close to the zygoma bone in thepatient's mouth. Zygomatic dental implants may be necessary for patientswith resorbed and/or deteriorated jaw bones (e.g., cancer patients) thatdo not provide the necessary socket for installing a non-zygomatic ormore traditional dental implant (e.g., dental implants 200, 300, 400,500). In some implementations, one or more zygomatic dental implants areinstalled in a patient's mouth (with or without one or morenon-zygomatic dental implants) and coupled to one or more abutments,bridges, bars, prosthetic teeth, attachment members, or any combinationthereof (e.g., a bridge including prosthetic teeth).

The angled zygomatic dental implant 700 is generally referred to as a4.5 millimeter zygomatic angled dental implant, where 4.5 millimeters isthe nominal maximum outer diameter D_(max,c) of a collar section 720and/or the nominal maximum outer diameter D_(max,t) of a first thread714 a, and where zygomatic indicates the dental implant 700 has a lengthL between about 20 millimeters and about 70 millimeters, morespecifically, zygomatic can indicate the dental implant 700 has a lengthL between about 25 millimeters and about 60 millimeters. In someimplementations, zygomatic indicates the dental implant 700 has a lengthof about 25 millimeters, about 30 millimeters, about 35 millimeters,about 40 millimeters, about 45 millimeters, about 50 millimeters, about55 millimeters, about 60 millimeters, about 65 millimeters, about 70millimeters. Such a length L of the angled zygomatic dental implant 700is significantly longer than non-zygomatic angled dental implants (e.g.,angled dental implants 200, 300, 400, 500), which typically have alength between about 7 millimeters and about 18 millimeters, morespecifically, non-zygomatic angled dental implants have a length betweenabout 8 millimeters and about 15 millimeters.

The angled zygomatic dental implant 700 further differs from the angleddental implant 200 in that the angled zygomatic dental implant 700includes a non-threaded middle portion 712 c of a generally cylindricalbody 710 between a proximal portion 712 a of the generally cylindricalbody 710 and a distal portion 712 b of the generally cylindrical body710. The non-threaded middle portion 712 c has a length that is betweenabout 20 percent and about 70 percent of a total length of the angledzygomatic dental implant 700, more preferably, the non-threaded middleportion 712 c has a length that is between about 35 percent and about 55percent of a total length of the angled zygomatic dental implant 700. Insome implementations, the non-threaded middle portion 712 c has a lengththat is about 45 percent of a total length of the angled zygomaticdental implant 700.

The angled zygomatic dental implant 700 further differs from the angleddental implant 200 in that the angled zygomatic dental implant 700 has abore-central axis X_(bore) of the interior bore 730 that is at an angleθ relative to a main-central axis X_(main) of the angled zygomaticdental implant 700, where the angle θ can be any angle, such as, forexample, between about 7° and about 65°, or between about 40° and about65°. As shown in FIGS. 7A-7C, the angle θ is about 55°.

The angled zygomatic dental implant 700 includes the generallycylindrical body 710, an angled portion 713, a collar section 720, aninterior bore 730, a non-rotational feature 750, the proximal portion712 a, the distal portion 712 b, the first thread 714 a, a second thread714 b, flutes 718, a main-central axis X_(main), a bore-central axisX_(bore), and a circumferentially extending wall 735, which are the sameas, or similar to, the generally cylindrical body 210, the angledportion 213, the collar section 220, the interior bore 230, thenon-rotational feature 250, the proximal portion 212 a, the distalportion 212 b, the first thread 214 a, the second thread 214 b, theflutes 218, the main-central axis X_(main), the bore-central axisX_(bore), and the circumferentially extending wall 235 of the angleddental implant 200.

As shown in FIGS. 7A-7C, the circumferentially extending wall 735 isdefined by an outer surface 719 of the generally cylindrical body 710and an inner surface 739 of the interior bore 730. The circumferentiallyextending wall 735 has a minimum thickness t_(w,min) as best shown inFIG. 7C. The minimum thickness t_(w,min) of the circumferentiallyextending wall 735 is near or at a distal end 731 of the interior bore730. As an example, the angled zygomatic dental implant 700 (shown inFIGS. 7A-7C), is a 4.5 diameter angled zygomatic dental implant (nominalsize) with the interior bore 730 having an angle θ of about 55 degrees.In this illustrated example, the minimum thickness t_(w,min) of thecircumferentially extending wall 735 at or near the distal end 731(e.g., taken at line E) of the interior bore 730 is about 0.08millimeters, which is adjacent to a first side 710 a of the generallycylindrical body 710 of the angled dental implant 700.

Further, as can be appreciated by the above description and FIGS. 7A-7C,the thickness of the circumferentially extending wall 735 varies aboutthe circumference (e.g., rotational position about the main-central axisX_(main)) of the angled zygomatic dental implant 700 due to the interiorbore 730 being at the angle θ relative to the main-central axisX_(main). As best shown in FIG. 7C, for a horizontal cross-section ofthe generally cylindrical body 710 at or near the distal end 731 of theinterior bore 730, the thickness of the circumferentially extending wall735 varies about the circumference of the angled dental implant 700 from(1) the minimum thickness t_(w,min) at or near the distal end 731 of theinterior bore 730 adjacent to the first side 710 a to (2) a relativelylarger and/or maximum thickness at or near the distal end 731 of theinterior bore 730 adjacent to a second opposing side 710 b.

Based on the exemplary implementation shown in FIGS. 7A-7C of the angledzygomatic dental implant 700, a ratio of (i) the maximum outer diameterD_(max,c) or D_(max,t) (e.g., the nominal outer diameter of 4.5millimeters) of the generally cylindrical body 710 to (ii) the thinnestportion (e.g., thickness t_(w,min)) of the circumferentially extendingwall 735 adjacent to the first side 710 a of the generally cylindricalbody 710 is 4.5 millimeters/0.08 millimeters, which equals 56.25.

The proximal portion 712 a of the generally cylindrical body 710 has arelatively larger maximum outer diameter than the maximum outer diameterof the non-threaded middle portion 712 c of the generally cylindricalbody 710 and the maximum outer diameter of the distal portion 712 b ofthe generally cylindrical body 710. For example, as shown, (i) themaximum outer diameter of the threaded proximal portion 712 a is about4.3 millimeters and (ii) the maximum outer diameter of the threadeddistal portion 712 b and the maximum outer diameter of the non-threadedmiddle portion 712 c is between about 3.2 millimeters and about 4millimeters. Alternatively, the maximum outer diameter of the threadeddistal portion 712 b and the maximum outer diameter of the non-threadedmiddle portion 712 c are the same as, or about the same as, the maximumouter diameter of the threaded proximal portion 712 a.

Now referring to FIG. 8, an angled zygomatic dental implant 800 is shownthat is similar to the angled zygomatic dental implant 700 describedherein and shown in FIGS. 7A-7C. However, the angled zygomatic dentalimplant 800 generally differs from the angled zygomatic dental implant700 in that the angled zygomatic dental implant 800 lacks a non-threadedmiddle portion. Rather, the angled zygomatic dental implant 800 includesa generally cylindrical body 810 that has a proximal or upper threadedportion 812 a of the generally cylindrical body 810, a distal or lowerthreaded portion 812 b of the generally cylindrical body 810, and amiddle threaded portion 812 c of the generally cylindrical body 810,where a single constant thread 814 is wrapped around the distal, middle,and proximal portions 812 a,b,c. Alternatively, the thread 814 can varyalong the length of the generally cylindrical body 810 (e.g., vary inpitch, depth, etc.).

The angled zygomatic dental implant 800 is generally referred to as a3.5 millimeter zygomatic angled dental implant, where 3.5 millimeters isthe nominal maximum outer diameter D_(max,c) of a collar section 820and/or the nominal maximum outer diameter D_(max,t) of the thread 814.The angled zygomatic dental implant 800 includes the generallycylindrical body 810, an angled portion 813, the collar section 820, aninterior bore 830, a non-rotational feature 850, the proximal portion812 a, the distal portion 812 b, flutes 818, a main-central axisX_(main), a bore-central axis X_(bore), and a circumferentiallyextending wall 835, which are the same as, or similar to, the generallycylindrical body 710, the angled portion 713, the collar section 720,the interior bore 730, the non-rotational feature 750, the proximalportion 712 a, the distal portion 712 b, the flutes 718, themain-central axis X_(main), the bore-central axis X_(bore), and thecircumferentially extending wall 735 of the angled zygomatic dentalimplant 700.

Now referring to FIG. 9, an angled zygomatic dental implant 900 is shownthat is similar to the angled zygomatic dental implants 700, 800described herein and shown in FIGS. 7A-8. However, the angled zygomaticdental implant 900 generally differs from the angled zygomatic dentalimplants 700, 800 in that the angled zygomatic dental implant 900 lacksa threaded proximal portion. Rather, the angled zygomatic dental implant900 includes a generally cylindrical body 910 that has a proximal orupper non-threaded portion 912 a of the generally cylindrical body 910,a middle non-threaded portion 912 c of the generally cylindrical body910, and a distal or lower threaded portion 912 b of the generallycylindrical body 910.

A single constant thread 914 is wrapped around the distal portion 912 b.As shown, a maximum outer diameter of the proximal and middle portions912 a,c is equal or about equal to a minor diameter of the threadeddistal portion 912 b. Alternatively, the maximum outer diameter of theproximal and middle portions 912 a,c is equal or about equal to a majordiameter of the threaded distal portion 912 b.

A combined length of the non-threaded proximal and middle portions 912a,c is between about 20 percent and about 85 percent of a total lengthof the angled zygomatic dental implant 900, more preferably, thecombined length of the non-threaded proximal and middle portions 912 a,cis between about 35 percent and about 70 percent of a total length ofthe angled zygomatic dental implant 900. In some implementations, thecombined length of the non-threaded proximal and middle portions 912 a,cis about 60 percent of a total length of the angled zygomatic dentalimplant 900. In some implementations, the combined length of thenon-threaded proximal and middle portions 912 a,c is about 30 percent ofa total length of the angled zygomatic dental implant 900.

The angled zygomatic dental implant 900 is generally referred to as a3.5 millimeter zygomatic angled dental implant, where 3.5 millimeters isthe nominal maximum outer diameter D_(max,c) of a collar section 920.The angled zygomatic dental implant 900 includes the generallycylindrical body 910, an angled portion 913, the collar section 920, aninterior bore 930, a non-rotational feature 950, the middle portion 912c, the distal portion 912 b, flutes 918, a main-central axis X_(main), abore-central axis X_(bore), and a circumferentially extending wall 935,which are the same as, or similar to, the generally cylindrical body710, the angled portion 713, the collar section 720, the interior bore730, the non-rotational feature 750, the middle portion 712 c, thedistal portion 712 b, the flutes 718, the main-central axis X_(main),the bore-central axis X_(bore), and the circumferentially extending wall735 of the angled zygomatic dental implant 700.

Various dental implants are described herein and shown in the FIGS. ashaving certain maximum outer diameters (e.g., nominal size of the dentalimplants), certain lengths, certain threaded portions, certainnon-threaded portions, certain connection types, and interior bores withcertain angles, which all can contribute to the various dental implantsof the present disclosure having a measurable thinnest portion of itscircumferentially extending wall (e.g., circumferentially extending wall235). The following table provides examples of dental implants (e.g.,straight dental implants, angled dental implants, zygomatic dentalimplants) along with their thinnest portion of the wall and the ratio ofthe maximum outer diameter (e.g., nominal size) to the thinnest portionof the wall of the dental implant.

TABLE 1 Max Outer Angle of Thinnest Diameter of Interior Portion ofImplant (OD Connection Bore Wall (TPW) Ratio (OD max) Type (degrees)(mm) max/TPW) 3.25 External 12 0.04 81.3 3.8 External 55 0.06 63.3 4.8External 55 0.08 60.0 3.5 External 55 0.06 58.3 4.50 External 55 0.0856.25 4.00 External 24 0.14 28.6 3.50 Internal 12 0.15 23.3 4.00External 12 0.2 20.0 4.00 Internal 12 0.25 16.0 3.52 Internal 0 0.3510.1 3.00 Internal 0 0.35 8.6 5.00 Internal 0 0.6 8.3 3.25 External 00.47 6.9 4.00 Internal 0 0.6 6.7

While the dental implants of the present disclosure are described asbeing machined from cold-worked, high strength, commercially pure (e.g.,Grade IV) titanium, in some alternative implementations, the dentalimplants of the present disclosure can be machined from one or moretitanium alloys, such as, for example, an alloy of titanium and one ormore of the following materials: Vanadium, Aluminium, Niobium,Zirconium, Chromium, or any combination thereof. In some alternativeimplementations, the dental implants of the present disclosure aremachined from a titanium alloy that includes about 90% Titanium, about6% Aluminium, and about 4% Vanadium. In some other alternativeimplementations, the dental implants of the present disclosure aremachined from a titanium alloy that includes about 86% Titanium andabout 14% Zirconium. In yet some other alternative implementations, thedental implants of the present disclosure are machined from a titaniumalloy that includes about 83% Titanium and about 17% Zirconium. In suchimplementations using one of the described a Titanium-Zirconium alloys,the Titanium-Zirconium alloy material has an ultimate tensile strengthof about 950 MPa. In some other alternative implementations, the dentalimplants of the present disclosure are machined from a titanium alloythat includes about 98% Titanium and about 2% Niobium. In yet some otheralternative implementations, the dental implants of the presentdisclosure are machined from a titanium alloy that includes about 87%Titanium, about 6% Aluminium, and about 7% Niobium. In some otheralternative implementations, the dental implants of the presentdisclosure are machined from a titanium alloy that includes about 91%Titanium, about 6% Aluminium, and about 3% Niobium. In some otheralternative implementations, the dental implants of the presentdisclosure are machined from a titanium alloy that includes about 77%Titanium, about 3% Aluminium, about 9% Niobium, and about 11% Chromium.

The dental implants of the present disclosure are shown and described asincluding a first thread (e.g., 114 a, 214 a, 314 a, 414 a, 514 a) and asecond thread (e.g., 114 b, 214 b, 314 b, 414 b, 514 b). For example,the angled dental implant 500 includes the first thread 514 a and thesecond thread 514 b. The first thread 514 a is also known as a microthread (about the distal portion 512 b) and the second thread 514 b isalso known as is a main thread 514 b (about the proximal portion 512 b).By micro thread, it is meant that the micro thread 514 a has arelatively smaller peak-to-trough distance as compared with the mainthread 514 b. By having the first thread 514 a be a micro thread 514 a(as opposed to just being a continuation of the second thread 514 b withthe same major thread diameter, the same minor thread diameter, etc.)the minor thread diameter of the micro thread 514 a is relatively largerthan the minor thread diameter of the main thread 514 b. As such, thecircumferentially extending wall 535 is relatively thicker than it wouldhave been if the minor thread diameter of the first thread 514 a wasequal to the minor thread diameter of the second thread 514 b. As such,with the circumferentially extending wall 535 being relatively thicker,the angled dental implant 500 is relatively stronger.

Some of the dental implants of the present disclosure are shown anddescribed as being machined from cold-worked, high strength,commercially pure (e.g., Grade IV) titanium. In some suchimplementations, these dental implants machined from cold-worked, highstrength, commercially pure (e.g., Grade IV) titanium have a fatiguestrength of at least about 200 newtons, at least about 225 newtons, orat least about 250 newtons.

While the present disclosure has been described with reference to one ormore particular embodiments and implementations, those skilled in theart will recognize that many changes may be made thereto withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. Each ofthese embodiments and implementations and obvious variations thereof iscontemplated as falling within the spirit and scope of the presentdisclosure, which is set forth in the claims that follow.

What is claimed is:
 1. An angled zygomatic dental implant, comprising: agenerally cylindrical body having a maximum outer diameter and amain-central axis, the generally cylindrical body being formed fromcold-worked, high strength, commercially pure titanium having anultimate tensile strength of at least about 900 MPa, the generallycylindrical body having a proximal portion, a middle portion, and athreaded distal portion for anchoring the angled zygomatic dentalimplant in bone of a patient, the generally cylindrical body having alength between about 25 millimeters and about 60 millimeters; aninterior bore formed in the generally cylindrical body, thereby forminga circumferentially extending wall defined by at least a portion of anouter surface of the generally cylindrical body and at least a portionof an inner surface of the interior bore, the interior bore having abore-central axis that is at an angle between about 40° and about 65°relative to the main-central axis of the generally cylindrical body, therelative angle of the bore-central axis causing the circumferentiallyextending wall to have a thinnest portion, the interior bore having athreaded portion for receiving a screw configured to removable hold anabutment in engagement with the angled zygomatic dental implant; and anon-rotational feature configured to engage the abutment in anon-rotational fashion, wherein a ratio of the maximum outer diameter ofthe generally cylindrical body to the thinnest portion of thecircumferentially extending wall is between about 50 and about
 75. 2.The angled zygomatic dental implant of claim 1, wherein the thinnestportion of the circumferentially extending wall has a thickness betweenabout 0.04 millimeters and about 0.1 millimeters.
 3. The angledzygomatic dental implant of claim 1, wherein the thinnest portion of thecircumferentially extending wall has a thickness between about 0.06millimeters and about 0.08 millimeters.
 4. The angled zygomatic dentalimplant of claim 1, wherein the thinnest portion of thecircumferentially extending wall is adjacent to a distal end of theinterior bore.
 5. The angled zygomatic dental implant of claim 1,wherein the angle is about 55 degrees.
 6. The angled zygomatic dentalimplant of claim 1, wherein the maximum outer diameter between of thegenerally cylindrical body is between about 3.5 millimeters and about4.5 millimeters.
 7. The angled zygomatic dental implant of claim 1,wherein (i) the proximal portion of the generally cylindrical body isthreaded, (ii) the middle portion of the generally cylindrical body isnon-threaded, and (iii) the distal portion of the generally cylindricalbody is threaded.
 8. The angled zygomatic dental implant of claim 1,wherein (i) the proximal portion of the generally cylindrical body isnon-threaded, (ii) the middle portion of the generally cylindrical bodyis non-threaded, and (iii) the distal portion of the generallycylindrical body is threaded.
 9. The angled zygomatic dental implant ofclaim 1, wherein (i) the proximal portion of the generally cylindricalbody is threaded, (ii) the middle portion of the generally cylindricalbody is threaded, and (iii) the distal portion of the generallycylindrical body is threaded.
 10. The angled zygomatic dental implant ofclaim 1, wherein the ratio is between about 55 and about
 65. 11. Theangled zygomatic dental implant of claim 1, wherein the length isbetween about 40 millimeters and about 55 millimeters.
 12. An angledzygomatic dental implant, comprising: a generally cylindrical bodyhaving a maximum outer diameter and a main-central axis, the generallycylindrical body being formed from a titanium alloy having an ultimatetensile strength of at least about 900 MPa, the generally cylindricalbody having a proximal portion, a middle portion, and a distal portionfor anchoring the angled zygomatic dental implant in bone of a patient;an interior bore formed in the generally cylindrical body, therebyforming a circumferentially extending wall, the interior bore having abore-central axis that is at an angle between about 40° and about 65°relative to the main-central axis of the generally cylindrical body, therelative angle of the bore-central axis causing the circumferentiallyextending wall to have a thinnest portion, the interior bore having athreaded portion for receiving a screw configured to removable hold anabutment in engagement with the angled zygomatic dental implant; and anon-rotational feature configured to engage the abutment in anon-rotational fashion, wherein a ratio of the maximum outer diameter ofthe generally cylindrical body to the thinnest portion of thecircumferentially extending wall is between about 50 and about
 75. 13.The angled zygomatic dental implant of claim 12, wherein the angledzygomatic dental implant has a length between about 20 millimeters andabout 70 millimeters and a maximum outer diameter of the angledzygomatic dental implant is less than 4.5 millimeters.
 14. The angledzygomatic dental implant of claim 12, wherein the generally cylindricalbody is formed from a cold worked, high strength titanium alloy.
 15. Theangled zygomatic dental implant of claim 12, wherein an exterior surfaceof the proximal portion of the generally cylindrical body includes athread.
 16. The angled zygomatic dental implant of claim 15, wherein atleast a portion of the thread is adjacent to the interior bore.
 17. Theangled zygomatic dental implant of claim 15, wherein the interior borehas a proximal end defined by the non-rotational feature and an opposingdistal end, and wherein at least a portion of the thread is adjacent tothe opposing distal end of the interior bore.
 18. The angled zygomaticdental implant of claim 17, wherein the angled zygomatic dental implantis an external-connection dental implant and the non-rotational featureincludes a boss extending from the proximal portion of the generallycylindrical body.
 19. The angled zygomatic dental implant of claim 15,wherein the circumferentially extending wall is defined by at least aportion of the exterior surface of the proximal portion of the generallycylindrical body and at least a portion of an inner surface of theinterior bore.
 20. The angled zygomatic dental implant of claim 12,wherein (i) the proximal portion of the generally cylindrical body is atleast partially threaded, (ii) the middle portion of the generallycylindrical body is non-threaded, and (iii) the distal portion of thegenerally cylindrical body is at least partially threaded.